Search

Arkansas Drug Court Celebrates 10th Anniversary

FAYETTEVILLE - What began as a temporary test program for a Washington County Drug Court, is about to celebrate a solid 10 years, and with a skyrocketing number of participants, including former Razorback star quarterback Matt Jones, Judge Mary Ann Gunn takes 5News behind the scenes of her courtroom.

At its kickoff, Judge Gunn says she presided over the first sessions against her will, wanting nothing to do with the new program.

But, Judge Gunn says she changed her "verdict," after meeting the first class of five. "I'll never forget those people, cause I didn't want to do it. Kathy McIllroy was one of the very first people I ever met. The first time she ever used, her boyfriend put a needle in her arm, and I just couldn't imagine. At that moment, I thought, I want to do this. I want to do this."